Kareem Hassan-Smith
Energetic full-back Kareem Hassan-Smith joins us after a successful season with Albion Sports. Previously with Huddersfield Town and Barnsley, Kareem also had spells at Guiseley AFC and Eccleshill United. Excited about the move, Kareem stated, “I’m extremely excited to be joining BPA. The stature of the club and the project that’s being built is very impressive.” Known for his high work rate and aggressive defending, Hassan-Smith is a versatile addition to the squad, bringing youth and enthusiasm to the team.
Connor Shanks
Connor Shanks, who played for Avenue on loan from Spennymoor Town last season, returns to the Green & White. With a background at Huddersfield Town and Bradford City’s Academy, Connor adds depth to the midfield.
Paddy Sykes
Paddy Sykes, a known goalscorer in Bradford, joins Avenue after making 134 appearances and scoring 67 goals for Campion. With extensive experience at Littletown, Howden Clough, Harrogate Railway, and Emley, Paddy is a key addition to our attacking lineup. Sporting Director Thomas McStravick commented, “We are delighted to get Paddy on board. We have had eyes on him since we got our scouting team together and he has been a key target for us. I have watched him. We like what we see and look forward to seeing him in the green and white.” Paddy added, “Delighted to have signed for Bradford Park Avenue for the 24/25 season. Having spoken with the manager and hearing about the project they have planned, the opportunity to join the club was too good to turn down. I’m hoping to contribute to getting the club back to where it belongs.”
Josh Ashman
A promising young defender, Josh Ashman has made a solid impact since joining the club. Released by Sheffield Wednesday and later moving through Guiseley and Matlock Town, Ashman is known for his composure on the ball, strong tackling, and excellent reading of the game.
Mark Beevers
Mark Beevers, born on 21 November 1989, is an experienced English defender with bags of experience.
He began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, making his debut in 2007, and went on to have successful spells at Millwall, Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United, and Perth Glory in Australia, where he served as co-captain. Known for his defensive strength and leadership, Beevers has been named in the League One Team of the Season twice and played over 500 professional games. In September 2024, he joined Bradford (Park Avenue) to bring his wealth of experience to the club.